After examining your smile, our BC dentists will determine the approximate duration of your Invisalign treatment. If you're wondering how long your treatment will take, read on.
At the start of your Invisalign orthodontic treatment, your dentist will supply you with the series of clear plastic aligners that will straighten your teeth. Each set of these custom aligners will make a specific adjustment to the position of your teeth, before you more on to the next set. This process will be carefully mapped out by your dentist before treatment begins.
When the aligners are place on your teeth, they will cause them to gradually shift into their new, predetermined positions.
» More About The Invisalign Process
How long will I wear each set of aligners?
You'll wear each set of aligners in the series for approximately two weeks before switching to the next.
How many sets of aligners will I receive as part of my treatment?
The number of aligners you receive depends on how severe your misalignment is. The more complex your case, the more aligners you'll need to correct it.
Most patients can expect a minimum of 10 trays. However, some patients may need 24 trays, and others may need more that 40; there are also cases where up to 100 trays have been necessary.
How long will my Invisalign treatment take altogether?
The total duration of your Invisalign treatment will mostly depend mainly on how many Invisalign trays are needed to fully treat your misalignment. On average, Invisalign treatment takes about 12 months, but this time frame can vary quite a lot based on the complexity of your misalignment.
Invisalign treatment takes approximately the same amount of time as traditional braces.
If you your dentist has already determined how many sets of aligners you will need, you can do the math to figure out how many months treatment will take. Since you'll wear each set of aligners for about two weeks, simply multiply your number of aligners by two, and then divide by four.
This will give you an idea of how long your treatment will take, but there is another consideration that may have an impact:
Your Commitment to Treatment
As you know, Invisalign aligners are removable. That means you can take them out to eat, and to brush and floss your teeth. While this is very convenient, there is a potential downside. It can make it all too easy for patients to "take breaks" from treatment when they shouldn't be.
The aligners may sometimes feel uncomfortable, making it tempting to just remove them for "just a little while". It can also be easy to forget to put them back in after you finish eating or brushing your teeth. This can cause serious problems and delays in your orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign is a full-time commitment; this needs to be taken seriously when you're considering this treatment option.
For your treatment to go according to plan, you will need to wear your aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day, everyday, throughout treatment. When you don't wear your aligners as prescribed, the result may be treatment setback and even damage to your teeth and oral structures.